Archives and Special Collections Department, American University of Beirut Beirut, Lebanon © 2018 Isa Iskandar al-Maʻluf Photograph Collection, 1890s-1950s A Finding Aid to the Collection in the University Libraries, AUB Prepared by Mervat Kobeissi Contact information: [email protected] Webpage: www.aub.edu.lb/libraries/asc Descriptive Summary Call No.: Ph: IIM: 1890s-1950s Bib record: b21040461 Record Creator: al-Maʻluf, ‘Īsá Iskandar 1868-1956. Collection Title: Isa Iskandar al-Maʻluf Photograph Collection, 1890s-1950s. Collection Dates: [between 1890s and 1950s] Physical Description: A collection of approximately 890 photographs, from a period ranging between 1880 and 1950, and at various locations (Latin America, Lebanon, etc.) Photographs vary in formats (mostly cartes-de-visite and cabinet card, but also formal studio portraits, mounted or inserted into scrapbook-type albums or stored loose); included are albumen, black and white silver gelatin photos, etc. Sizes vary (34 x 29 cm or smaller). Photographers in Lebanon include Assad Dakouny, Habib Hawawini Photography, Studio Fakhoury, Photo Khatchadour, Assad K. Murhij Photographe, and Khalil Chahine Malouf. Photographers in Brazil include Foto Studio Hejo, Photo Schonfelder, and Boris. Some photographs include poems and studio stamps on versos. In addition, the collection contains one album, three framed photographs, and one glass plate. In general, the collection is in very good condition. Abstract: The collection contains photographs related to Isa Iskandar al Maʻluf family, relatives, and acquaintances in Lebanon and diaspora, mainly in Latin America and other countries. Miscellaneous photographs include individual and group photographs of women, men, and children. Language(s): Arabic, French and Portuguese. Administrative Information Source: Purchased from Isa Iskandar Maʻluf family in 2015. Access Restrictions: There is no restriction on access to the Collection for research use. Requests for permission to publish material should be directed to the Archives and Special Collections. Fees may apply. Photocopying Restriction: No reproduction restriction. Preferred Citation: Isa Iskandar al Maʻluf Photograph Collection, 1890s-1950s, Ph: IIM: 1890s-1950s, Box no., Folder no., American University of Beirut/Library Archives. Scope and Content The focus of the collection is primarily family photographs of Isa Iskandar Maʻluf in Brazil and Lebanon, with a few photos of Maʻluf’s friends and acquaintances in Brazil Lebanon and other countries. The collection also contains some unidentified portraits, possibly members of the Maʻluf extended family, religious figures, and various landscapes and places in Lebanon and Brazil. There are also some miscellaneous unidentified photographs, including individual and group photographs of men, women, and children that give a glimpse into the Social life and customs in Lebanon and Brazil. Images of Isa’s family include photographs of his wife ʻAfifah; his children, Iskandar (Alex), Fawzi, Riyad, Shafiq, Edmond, Odette and Evelyn; their spouses; and children at various ages, as well as many family photographs of Isa Iskandar Maʻluf, his father, 2 sisters, brothers, and other family members. There are also some photographs of different locations in Lebanon and Brazil and social events such as weddings, family gatherings, the birth of babies, outings and trips of Isa’s family to Lebanon, Maʻluf factory and residence in Brazil; photos of Fawzi Maʻluf Memorial Ceremony on August 10, 1930, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; photos of the memorial service of Shafiq Maʻluf in 1977, Zahlah, Lebanon. There are also some photographs related to Isa Iskandar Maʻluf's professional life, such as photos of the Arabic Language International Councils meetings in Egypt and Damascus. As well as, portraits of prominent figures with whom he was associated, such as the calligrapher of King Faruk Najib Hawawini, photos of the Syrian scholar and historian Muhammad Kurd ʻAli; the Egyptian writer and historian Ahmad Taymur; the Algerian religious and military leader 'Abd al-Qadir al- Jaza'iri during the opening ceremony of the Suez Canal, 1863. Arrangement The photograph collection is arranged in nine series: Series I: Brazil, 165 photos Subseries I.1: Isa Iskandar Maʻluf's immediate family I.1.1: Portraits I.1.2: Group portraits Subseries I.2: Isa Iskandar Maʻluf's extended family and acquaintances I.2.1: Portraits I.2.2: Group portraits Subseries I.3: Miscellaneous and unidentified photographs Series II: Lebanon, 311 photos Subseries II.1: Isa Iskandar Maʻluf's immediate family II.1.1: Portraits II.1.2: Group portraits Subseries II.2: Isa Iskandar Maʻluf's extended family and acquaintances II.2.1: Portraits II.2.2: Group portraits Subseries II.3: Miscellaneous and unidentified photographs Series III: Other countries, 136 photos Subseries III.1: Argentina Subseries III.2: Australia Subseries III.3: Egypt Subseries III.4: France Subseries III.5: Iraq Subseries III.6: Palestine Subseries III.7: Senegal Subseries III.8: Spain Subseries III.9: Syria Subseries III.10: United States 3 Series IV: Unspecified countries, 85 photos Series V: Unidentified Woman/Women, 62 photos Series VI: Unidentified Man/Men, 40 photos Series VII: Unidentified Boys & Girls, 31 photos Series VIII: Miscellaneous group portraits, 33 photos Series IX: Other materials, 3 framed photographs & 1 glass plate Biographical Sketch Isa Iskandar Maʻluf (1869–1956) is a Lebanese writer, poet, historian, and journalist. Born on April 11, 1869, in Kafr ‘Uqāb, he hails from a prominent family that traces its origin back to members of al-Ghasasinah, who established themselves in the Levant in the 17th and 18th c. Isa Iskandar Maʻluf received his primary education at his village school, graduating from al-Shuwayr English Secondary School. He went on to assume various teaching positions at various schools in Lebanon and Syria, including the Jesuit School in Kafr ‘Uqab, Madrasat Kaftin al-Urthudhuksiyah, and al-Kulliyah al-Sharqiyah. He helped to edit the newspaper Lubnān and established al-Athar magazine in 1911. He was a prolific writer and published extensively in various Egyptian, Lebanese, and Syrian magazines such as al-Muqtațaf, al-Hilāl, and al-Mashriq. He also published about ninety books, mostly printed in Lebanon or Syria on a variety of subjects. Ranging from the history of medicine among the Arabs (1921); the history of Levantine cities such as Zahle (1911) and Damascus (1924); to the biographies of rulers such as al-Amir Fakhr al-Din II (1927) and al-Amir Bashir (1914); and accounts and genealogies of families such as the Ma’luf family (1908), and the Yaziji family (1944, 2 vols). He also composed four plays, three of which were performed in 1893. Maʻluf was a member of various writers groups and academies, including the Arabic Academy in Damascus (1919), the Arabic Language International Councils in Egypt, Damascus, Brazil, and Lebanon and was one of the founders of the Lebanese Academy in 1928. ʻĪsá married Afifeh Ibrahim al-Ma’luf in 1898 and had seven children: Fawzi (1899 -1930), Shafiq (1905 – 1986), Riyad (1912-1982), Iskandar (Alex), Edmond, Evelyn, and Odette. Three of his sons are of the famous Mahjar Poets: Fawzi, Shafiq, and Riyad. He died in Zahlah on July 2, 1956. Subject Headings Photograph collections -- Middle East. Families -- 1890-1950. Historians -- Lebanon. Lebanese diaspora. Lebanese -- Brazil. Lebanon -- Intellectual life. Lebanon -- Social life and customs -- 20th century. Immigrants -- Brazil. Sao Paulo (Brazil: State) -- Emigration and immigration. Maʻlūf, ‘Īsá Iskandar -- 1868-1956 -- Portraits. Maʻlūf, Shafīq -- 1905-1976 -- Portraits. Maʻlūf, Riyāḍ -- 1912-19826 -- Portraits. 4 Maʻlūf, Fawzī -- 1899-1930 -- Portraits. Hawāwīnī, Najīb -- Portraits. Taymūr, Aḥmad, 1871-1930 -- Portraits. 'Abd al-Qadir ibn Muhyi al-Din -- Amir of Mascara -- 1807? -1883 -- Portraits. Kurd ʻAlī, Muḥammad -- 1876-1953 -- Portraits. Maālūf, ‘Īsá Iskandar -- 1868-1956 -- Family. Genre and Form Subject Headings Albumen prints -- 1890-1950. Photography -- Middle East, 1890-1950. Group portraits -- 1890-1950. Cartes de visite -- 1890-1950. Cabinet photographs -- 1890-1950. Portrait photographs -- 1890-1950. Photographic prints -- 1890-1950. Container List Series I: Brazil (Boxes 1-4) 165 photos Subseries 1.1: Isa Iskandar al-Maʻluf's immediate family (Boxes 1 & 2) – 116 photos I.1.1: Portraits (Box 1) – 65 photos - I.1.1.1 Joseph Iskandar al-Ma'luf as young man, 1924, 1 photographic print: black and white; 14 x 9 cm. - I.1.1.2 Iskandar al-Ma'luf, aged 10-month, 1 photographic print: black and white; 14 x 9 cm. - I.1.1.3 Iskandar al-Ma'luf with two men, 1925, 1 photographic print: black and white; 14 x 9 cm. - I.1.1.4 Iskandar al-Ma'luf, full-length portrait, facing front, 1928, I photographic print: black and white; 11 x 8 cm. - I.1.1.5 Alice al-Ma'luf, Foto Studio Hejo, 1 photographic print: black and white; 23 x 17 cm, on mount 34 x 25 cm. - I.1.1.6 Huda al-Ma'luf as a baby, July 1938, 1 photographic print: black and white; 13 x 9 cm. - I.1.1.7 Huda al-Ma'luf as a young girl, 1 photographic print: black and white; 13.5 x 8.5 cm. - I.1.1.8 Huda al-Ma'luf, Foto Studio Hejo, 1 photographic print: black and white; 23 x 17 cm, on mount 34 x 25 cm. - I.1.1.9 Samia (Evelyn's daughter), November 14, 1945, 1 photographic print: black and white; 9.5 x 6.5 cm. 5 - I.1.1.10 Cecilia (Evelyn's daughter), January 25, 1950, 1 photographic print: black and white; 9 x 6 cm. - I.1.1.11 Claude (Evelyn's son), as a baby, November 1, 1933, 1 photographic print: black and white; 3.5 x 3 cm. - I.1.1.12 Claude (Evelyn's son), October 25, 1945, 1 photographic print: black and white; 9.5 x 6.5 cm. - I.1.1.13 Claude (Evelyn's son) as a baby, 1 photographic print: black and white; 11.5 x 8.5 cm.